French Zeal Results In Busted Golfer

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<<PARIS (AP) - French golfer Marc Farry tested positive for steroid use at the French Open in June after taking a prescription drug for a wrist injury, the European tour said.

Farry was one of six golfers who submitted to the voluntary check by France's Sports Ministry.

The French Open marked the first time drug tests were conducted on the European tour. Similar tests have been done at many events in France, including the French Open tennis championships.

Farry said he informed the doctor at the tournament about a cortisone shot and anti-inflammatory pills he had taken weeks earlier. The doctor did not write the information on his form, Farry said.

``If he had put it down, nothing would have happened,'' the golfer said in a statement released Friday on the tour's Web site.

Farry tested positive for Prednisolone, similar to hydrocortisone. Dr. Roger Hawkes, medical adviser for the tour, said the substance was ``not obviously performance enhancing.''

Ferry tied for 37th in the French Open. The tournament's results will stand, the tour said.>>

[MJD]

Re: French Zeal Results In Busted Golfer

``If he had put it
>down, nothing would have happened,'' the golfer
>said in a statement released Friday on the tour's
>Web site.

I wonder if that is an accurate statement? If prednisilone is anything like prednisone, it is serious shit. There was a rider in the Tour that was suffering from a serious reaction to a bee sting and couldn't take the usual remedies because of the risk of a positive test. I really don't see the difference.

[Pego]

Re: French Zeal Results In Busted Golfer

There is a huge difference. Methylprednisolone and chemically similar agents called mineralocorticoids) administered locally to treat inflammatory conditions of subcutaneous tissues including joints have no anabolic effect. There is only a miniscule amount absorbed, therefore no systemic effects (good or bad) are observed.